Hey guys, so I hope you enjoy this chapter- in which Leo feels victimized. And in the next chapter we get Annabeth and Rachel so look forward to that!
Guest: You must wait and see I'm afraid!
Weirdhead: Thalia has flown once in this series- to save Drew when she felt from Lady's back after fetching Clarrise, but yeah, this version of Thalia is actually happy with her life at camp and with her friends.
Undeath9087: Don't worry, you'll see them next chap- anyway, I hope you enjoy.
"Why the Solstice?" that came from a younger camper, a girl named Haley- a daughter of Hebe, she was twelve years old, one of the newer kids who had gotten brought to camp after the war- she probably didn't fully understand the importance of the solstices, but Luke stepped up to try and help- which was pretty standard.
"The Solstice days are the meeting days for the gods, when they hold their council. Lady Hera is always there- I don't think it would end well if she isn't there- knowing the gods they'll start arguing-"
"It's what they usually do." Thalia spoke up, a worried frown on her lips as she kept an eye on Jason.
"The winter solstice," Chiron spoke up, "is also the time of greatest darkness. The gods gather that day, as mortals always have, because there is strength in numbers. The solstice is a day when evil magic is strong. Ancient magic, older than the gods. It is a day when things … stir."
And the tone of his voice made it clear that it wasn't good things that would be stirring."
"Right." Leo tried giving a goofy grin, "So, back to the less depressing terrifying side of that- my main man, my buddy- my dude Jason was ordered by Hera to rescue her- which I think probably means he should be leading it-"
"Of course he was." that came from Hayden- daughter of Ares, "He's a big three kids- they get all the good quests-"
"We could trade." Nico offered, "Believe me I'd be happier not having to go on dangerous quests ever again-"
"Now that's too true." Thalia spoke up. "Quests suck. I don't like the idea of my brother having to go on one but apparently-" she scowled, "He doesn't get much of a choice."
"Who's going with him." that came from Lou Ellen, who was stood with her arms crossed over her chest and a raised eyebrow.
"I am." Leo stepped forward, "Hera mentioned me during her little chat with him so I'm going with Jason- besides he needs someone with a little experience-"
"In blowing stuff up?" Nyssa snickered the words, "Good luck Grace. You're gonna need it-"
"Screw you sis." Leo flipped his finger before quickly shoving his hand behind his back when Chiron gave him a disapproving look.
"What? What did I do-"
"Mr Valdez you are a terrible influence on the younger campers-"
"Well that's just rude-"
"He's not wrong." that came from Luke, "You're a dumbass kid."
"And proud." Leo winked.
"Yes, well." Chiron rolled his eyes, "It has already been decided that Jason Grace will lead the quest and Leo Valdez will go with him. Now as well all know most quests have three heroes- the question is who will go on this quest with them?" and Leo found his eyes drawn to Piper, who was still by Drew's side, the older girl muttering something to her as Piper played with a sheathed dagger.
"We need a prophecy for that." Leo spoke up, looking away from his friend quickly, his gaze turning to May, who gave a small nod.
"Of course Leo." Then she closed her eyes and swayed.
Luke caught her before she could hit the ground, his eyes wide and his face pale as he gripped his mother tightly.
A couple of other campers rushed off to grab a bronze three legged stool, which Luke lowered her onto carefully, his brows furrowed, "There you go." then he stepped back as green mist started swirling around May's feet. When she opened her eyes, they were glowing. Emerald smoke issued from her mouth and Luke shuddered slightly- Leo knew that Luke loved his mom, but he also knew that the glowing eyes brought back unpleasant memories and he did feel sorry for the older demigod.
The voice that came out was raspy and ancient—the sound a snake would make if it could talk:
"Child of lightning, beware the earth,
The giants' revenge the seven shall birth,
The forge and dove shall break the cage,
And death unleash through Hera's rage."
Then May was toppling forward but Luke was there, catching her once more, his arms wrapping around her carefully- she was unconscious and Luke carefully slid his arm under her legs- his other arm wrapped around her back as he picked her up bridal style and moved quickly, "I'll get her to her room to sleep." and that was fairly normal- if Luke was around then no one else was allowed to take care of May when she gave a prophecy- oh of course there were some demigods who were responsible for that when he was at home or at college but they all knew that as May's son Luke felt like he was responsible for caring for her- no matter how complicated their past was, Luke did love his birth mother.
"Of course Luke." Chiron nodded, "Thank you."
And as Luke walked away Leo noticed Drew and Piper whispering to each other again- Piper looked nervous, and of course she did. Because he'd sort of known from the start that she'd be the one to come with them. It was clearly supposed to be the three of them.
"Right." Jason took a deep breath, "That helps I think-"
"It does." Leo spoke up, "I'm not sure what all of it means- and I don't try too hard to figure it out- Prophecies can drive you mad if you do that, but some of it's pretty clear- the three of us who go on this quest are members of the seven from the great prophecy, which mean you, me- I'm the forge, clearly." he gave a fake grin, giving a thumbs up, "And we need a child of Aphrodite who'll help me break the cage- probably whatever is holding Hera-"
"Do you have to?" Thalia snarked, "Can't we just leave her to rot it's not like she's ever actually helped us out of the goodness of her heart-"
"Hey I hate her as much as you do." Leo held up his hands, "But a quest's a quest and we do kind of need to save her."
"I need my memories back." Jason said firmly, "So we have to do it. The only question now is the third person."
"If it's a child of Aphrodite-" Silena stood up, a worried look on her face, "Then-"
"It's the trashbaby." Drew's voice was a drawl as she dragged Piper to her feet, and Piper's face flushed and she gave Drew a dirty look.
"Can you stop calling me that?"
"Can you actually brush your hair?"
"Oh screw you."
And Leo blinked slowly before he grinned "That just means she likes you Pipes." that earned a snicker from Thalia and some laughter
from other campers as Silena frowned.
"She's not been claimed yet, technically speaking and- Piper you've been here for less than a day you have no experience-"
"Eh, she can get it on the job." Drew's voice was light hearted, "And hey, at least if she dies she won't be uglying up camp with her trashbaby clothes- I mean really that tee-"
"Drew!" Silena glared at her sister and Leo winced- daughters of Aphrodite arguing was never pretty, "This quest is going to be dangerous and Piper's not been her long-"
"I want to go." Piper spoke up, "I need to go- Hera sent Jason and Leo to my school I'm connected to this I have to be. Drew's right."
"I th-" Leo started to speak but his mouth snapped closed when Silena glared at him.
"She's not even claimed yet and she's new it's too dangerous-" and as if Aphrodite had been waiting for the perfect moment it happened, one second Piper looked normal and the next she was glowing a faint red color and her clothes and hair had changed- she was adorned in a beautiful white sleeveless gown that went down to her ankles, with a low V-neck. Delicate gold armbands circled her biceps. An intricate necklace of amber, coral, and gold flowers glittered on her chest, and her hair … her hair was perfect: lush and long and chocolate brown, braided with gold ribbons down one side so it fell across her shoulder. She even wore makeup, better than Piper would ever know how to do herself—subtle touches that made her lips cherry red and brought out all the different colors in her eyes.
Leo knew for a fact that Piper would never in a million years choose to look like that herself. It suited her, she looked stunning but... she wasn't Piper, she didn't look like the girl who had been his only friend in the short time he'd been at the stupid school- and the look on her face as Drew cackled with laughter and handed her a small mirror was honestly one Leo wished he was quick enough to take a picture of- the pure revulsion.
"Oh god." Piper's voice was horrified as Drew laughed harder and piped up;
"You mean gods-"
"What's happened to me?!"
"You've just been claimed." Silena sounded stricken as Drew tossed an arm around Piper's shoulder as Chiron gave a small nod.
"Hail, Piper McLean," Chiron announced gravely, as if he were speaking at her funeral. "Daughter of Aphrodite, lady of the doves, goddess of love. "
"See Sil'. No way is that timing anything other than a sign. Piper is meant for this quest."
"Did I have to get a makeover?" Piper demanded, "I don't feel like me-"
"You're beautiful-" and Leo almost cackled with laughter when he looked at Jason and saw the awed look on the other teens face- Thalia had her face hidden in her hands and her shoulders were shaking with laughter too as Jason went bright red and several other campers started to snicker- and Piper's face was almost as red as Jason's at his outburst.
"Real smooth dude." Leo shook his head, "Relax Pipes, you'll go back to normal- in a few days-"
"A few days?!"
And Drew almost fell over she was laughing so hard. "Oh the look on your face trashbaby-"
"I will stab you." Piper suddenly had a dagger in her hand and she was glowering at Drew, who simply smirked and slipped her finger up at Piper.
Chiron made a little coughing noise to get their attention again, a long suffering expression on his face, "It seems that young Piper is destined to go on this quest with Jason and Leo-"
"Valdez-" Silena pointed at Leo, her eyes narrowed, and Leo tensed- he knew full well that Silena was both very pretty and utterly terrifying, he liked his brothers girlfriend but she was kinda intimidating.
"Yes?"
"You look after her." she demanded, "I swear if my new sister gets hurt because of this-"
"Why me?!"
"Because out of the three of you, you're the only one we know has a lot of experience, obviously."
"She's got a point." Luke looked almost amused as he said that, "Gods help us all-"
"Jason's leading the quest-"
"I didn't even remember my name this morning." Jason pointed out-"
"Yeah, actually." Thalia gave Leo an evil grin, "You need to look after my baby brother too-"
"Oh this is so not fair!"
"Don't worry Leo." Nico grinned, "You're not a total dumbass, I'm sure you can keep them alive- maybe-"
"I have faith in you Leonidas." Calypso moved towards him, a smile on her lips, "But if you don't come back to me I will come to the Underworld and drag you back by your hair." she kissed his cheek and Leo gave a goofy grin.
"That's kinda romantic-"
"Hardly." Nico snorted, "Besides you wouldn't have to, dad would take one look at him and say 'Oh fuck no' and he'd kick him straight back out."
"Hey I am a delight your dad should be honored-"
"Leo you're a being of chaos." Beckendorf's voice came from where the rest of the Hephaestus cabin were gathered. "Hades would almost definitely kick you out-"
"Does that mean I'm immortal?"
"Children!" Chiron held up his hands, "Seeing as this is fast dissolving into chaos and we do at least seem to have the questers chosen perhaps we should get to the smores?"